Apparatus for filling and capping bottles



April 9, 1929. Q LARSEN 1,708,313

APPARATUS FOR FILLING'AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed 1924 7 Sheet-Shet l jzizioz 'April 9, 1929. o. LARSE N- APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES 7 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1924 Z924 a ZZi 6/5 Oiaf April 9, 1929. o. LARSEN APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed March 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 9, 1929. Q L N 1,708,313

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed March 1924 7 sheet -shet 4 April 9, 1929. O L N 1,708,313

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES I Filed March 1924 '7 Sheets-She et 5 April 1929. v o. LARSEN APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed March 1924 7 SheetE-Sheet 6 nun April 9, 1929. o. LARSEN APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES 7 Sheet-Sheet Filed March 1924 ME W5 Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLAF LARSEN, or roar ATKINSON, wIscoNsIN, ASSIGNOR 1:0 THE CREAMEBY racx- AGE MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS ron FILLING AND CAPPING. BOTTLES.

Application filed March a, 1924. Serial No. 696,456.

The invention relates to automatic machinery for filling bottles with llquid and attaching sealing stoppers or caps thereto the tank and its attachments.v Fig. is a fractional plan view illustrating the adjustable features of the bottle conveying mechafter they are filled, and relates more paranism. Fig. 6 is a fractional sectional ele- 5 ticularly to the rotary type of filling and capping machines adapted to the handling of milk.

Machines of this type, distinguished by the employment of revolving mechanism for the 1 positioning of the bottles for filling from a revolving supply tank, heretoforehave been provided with separate mechanisms for the subsequent capping operation. Such arrangement requiresagroupof nicely timed conveying mechanisms having synchronizing driving connections, and 1s subject to operative difliculties due to wear and other causes I It is the principal object of this invention to provide a machine in which both the filling and capping operations are effected upon one revolving positioning mechanism, thereby simplifying the operative arrangement of the machine and accomplishing a more durable, efiicient and economically operated construction.

A further object is to provide Improved automatic means for moving the bottles through the hie-chine which is readily adjustable to all sizes of bottles.

Other objects and advantages Wlll appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which I have selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that various changes in form, construction and arrangement may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Flg. 1.1epresents a central vertical sectional view of the machine, complete except that for clarity of disclosure only those of the identical capping heads, filler valves and bottle elevators are illustrated which are intersected by the plane of the vertical section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the tank and upper portion of its support removed at the plane of the line 22 In Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the supply tank with the attached filling and capping mechanisms, taken on the plane of the line 3 In Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a fractional elevation of vation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, taken on the plane of the line 66 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail of one of the adjusting connections. Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed views of the parts controlling the adjustment of one of the bottle guides. Fig. 10 is a fractional sectional elevation of the upper portion of the machine, illustrating the adjustable construction of the tank support, and the tank supply valve. Fig. 11 is a fractional sectional plan View of theadjustable spider for positioning bottles on the elevators. Fig. 12 illustrates one of the parts controlling the adjustment of the spider. Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of one of the bottle elevators with its operating supporting parts. Fig. 14 is a plan view of a pair of elevators. Figs. 15 and 16 are a plan View and elevat1on respectively of the annular cam controlling the bottle elevators. Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation taken on the plane of the 'line 17-17 in Fig. 1. Fig. 18 illustrates the gear train for driving the conveyor worms. Fig. 19 is a sectional plan view of the arrangen'lent of the transmission gears in the main driving mechanism.

Stated generally, the machine as illustrated herein comprises a rotating reservoir or tank which carries depending discharge tubes with their control valves for filling the milk bottles, and which also outwardly supports a concentric series of capping heads for the placing of caps in the mouths of the bottles after they are filled. The bottles are positioned during these operations on elevating pistons located beneath the tank disharge valves and capping devices, the pistons or elevators being carried by a rotating table revolving in synchronism with the supply tank and its attached devices. The bottles are delivered to and taken away from the revolving series of elevator pistons by meansof an arrangement of worm conveyors and adjustable guides which first -position the successive bottles onthe inner portions of the elevating pistons. The bottles are then elevated into engagement with the filling valves during a portion of the revolution of the synchronized series of pistons and filling valves. When filled, the

bottles are lowered and moved by means of an adjustable ide to the outer portions of the plstons, wli reupon they are again elevated into engagement with the capping heads, capped, and lowered out of engagement therewith. The bottles are then moved oil from the pistons as they successively reach another guide, before the completion of the revolution of the particular pistons upon which the respective bottles rest, and are directed into engagement with the worm conveyor which moves the bottles outwardly from the filling and capping mechanism to an accumulatin table or upon suitable conveying means or delivering them wherever desired. The conveying and positioning guides are readily a justablefor operation upon the several standard sizes of milk bottles.

Described more specifically, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a stationary base carrying at one end an upright pedestal 2 upon which is operatively supported the mechanism for the filling and capping operations. Mounted on the lower portion of the pedestal and secured to a flange 3, is a stationary annular support 4 which carries a cam ring 5 secured thereto for controlling the operation of the bottle lifting pistons. The cam support 4 also carries at its periphery an annular drip pan 6 for the collection of such milk as may escape over the machine in the filling operation occasionally occurring on account of damaged bottles.

The upper portion 7 of the pedestal 2 is of upright cylindrical form upon which is operatively mounted a revoluble sleeve 8 extending substantially above the pedestal and bearlng at its lower end upon an annular shoulder 9 provided in the pedestal,

referably with an anti-friction bearing, as Indicated at 10, inter osed between the end of the sleeve and tlie shoulder. On the lower end of the revoluble main sleeve 8, a driven spur gear 11 is rigidly secured, as by a key 11, with which is engaged a pinion 12 rigidly mounted on the shaft 13 extendin vertically through the cam support 4 and having its. bearing 14 in the latter. The lower end of the upright shaft 13 carries a beveled gear 15 in operative engagement with a beveled pinion 16 secured to the main drive shaft 17 having its bearing in the biacket 18 depending from the cam support Mounted on the main sleeve 8 and positioned above the gear 11, is an annular elevator carrier 19 which is rigidly secured to the sleeve as by means of the key 20, and which extends radially outward for the sup ort of the elevating istons and the mee anism for accomplishing their movement. A depending apron 21 preferably extends from the outer periphery oithe carrier 19 into the drip pan 6. Positioned in a concentric series about the outer portion of the elevator carrier 19 are spaced upright bearings 22, in which are operatively positioned for vertical movement the several elevator piston rods 23, extending upwardly from the bearings and carrying the piston heads 24, which present an elongated horizontal surface for the support of bottles positioned thereon. A downwardly extending flange 25 is preferably formed on each of the istons extending below the upper end ot the bearings 22 and protecting the latter from any overflow of milk in the filling operation.

The lower'end of each of the piston rods 23 carries a pivoted yoke 26 having its upper pivotal bearing supported on a pin 27 carried between spaced end extensions of the piston rod. (See Figs. 1, l3 and 14.)

The spaced arms of the yoke 26 support a pin 28 on which isrevolubly mounted a roller 29. A second yoke link 30 embraces the arms of the first mentioned yoke, being pivotally mounted on the outer extensions of the pin 28, and having also an upper pivotal support on a pin 31 rigidly secured in the stationary bracket 32 extending downward from the carrier 19. This construction of the supports for the rollers prevents the turning of the piston heads, keeps the rollers in alinement with their path of travel, and avoids excess wear of the piston rod bearings.

The rollers 29 are positioned for operative engagement at all tlmes with the annular cam 5. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 15, the rollers and consequently the bottle supporting piston heads 24 are in lowermost position at L, whereat' the bottles are first positioned on the piston heads. With the revolution of the elevator carrier 19, the rollers 29 successively rise over the portion 33 of the cam, which elevates the bottles into illing engagement with the filler valves as hereinafter described. Upon the rollers reaching the depression 34 in the cam, the bottles are momentarily lowered from the filler valves to permit the dissipation of foam at the mouths of the bottles, and are thereupon re-engaged by the rising of the rollers upon the portion 35 of the cam. At the next depression 36 the filling operations are completed and the bottles are finally lowered to disengage them from the filling valves. Thereupon they are shifted outwardly on the piston heads, by means hereinafter described, and the rollers then suecessively rise on the lobe 37 of the cam. lifting the bottles into operative, engagement with the capping heads. After being capped, the bottles are again lowered as the re ers 29 pass down the inclined portion of engagement with the worm conveyor at the position indicated at L, as hereinafter described.

There is preferablyprovided on the elevator carrier 19, an annular table 38 rigidly mounted on the carrier and positioned with its horizontal surface in the same plane with the upper surfaces of the piston heads 24 when the latter are in lowermost position, the table having openings 39 through which the elevating piston heads operate. The table 38 is provided to aid in the movement of the bottles to and from their positions on the elevating piston heads.

The pedestal 2, including its upper portion 7 is of hollow construction, (see Fig. 1) within which is provided mechanism for raising and lowering the overhead supply tank with the attached filling valves and capping heads to accommodate the varying heights of, bottles of different sizes. For this purpose an elevating screw 40 is positioned within the pedestal, the lower end of which is screw-threaded and operatively supported within the threaded gear sleeve 41. The latter is rotatably supported by the bearing bracket 42, preferably integral with the base portion of the pedestal, the gear sleeve 41 being provided at its upper end with a threaded thrust collar 43, resting upon the upper end surface of the bearing 42 and preferably having 'an anti-friction bearing interposed between the collar and its under support. The lower end of the gear sleeve 41 carries a bevelled gear 44, preferably formed integrally with the sleeve, with which is operatively engaged a bevelled pinion 45' carried by the shaft 46 extending laterally through and having its bearing in the base portion of the pedestal.

A hand wheel 47 is rigidly mounted on the outer end of the shaft 46, whereby the gear sleeve 41 may be rotated in its bearing to effect the raising and lowering of the ele vating screw 40. The latter is prevented from rotating by its keyed engagement with its upper bearing support 48 at the upper end of the upper portion 7 of the pedestal, the screw 40 being'provided with a longitudinal keyway in which is engaged a key 49, stationarily secured in the bearing suport. p Operatively mounted within the upper end of the main driving sleeve 8 is a tank support 50, on which is mounted the milk supply tank and the devices carried thereby. The tank support is mounted in the mam sleeve for non-rotative vertical movement portion 52 extending through the base of the support and carrying the support on the annular shoulder thus provided. The rotaton the upper end of the elevating sorew above the base portion of the tank support.

On the upper portion of the tank support is mounted a milk supply tank 55, suitably secured to an outwardly flanged portion of the support. Arranged about the lower portion of the inclined bottom wall of the supply tank is a concentric series of outlets 56, from which dependa series of discharge valves 57 positioned in register with the inner portions of the several elevating piston heads 24. The discharge or bottle filler valves 57 may be of any desired construction, and being of a well known type and immaterial to the present invention the will not be describedin detail herein.

An annular ring 58 rigidly secured on the side wall of the supply tank supports a series of spaced cap afiixing devices 59, the latter being positioned in register with the outer portions of the underlying series of bottle elevating piston heads. The capping heads also may be of any desired construction, and as their type of construction is 'well known and immaterial to the present invention they will not be further described herein.

It Will be understood that milk bottles are used in several standard sizes, and filling andcapping machines must be constructed to accommodate the different sizes of hot tles. To this end adjustable means is provided for positioning the bottles of various diameters on thepiston heads so that when elevated they will be centrally in register respectively With the filling valves or the capping heads. Mounted on the upper portion of the elevator carrier 19 is a spider member comprising an annular portion 60 (Fig. 1) rotatably bearing on the cylindrical outer vertical wall of the carrier, and

having a series of outwardly extending spaced arms 61 formed on its upper edge, and similar arms 62 extending from the lower edge of the annular portion of the spider, vertically in register with the upper arms. The pairs of arms 61 and 62 extend along one side of the severahpiston heads respectively, and are adapted to determine laterally the position of the-bottles as they are conveyed onto the piston heads, the bottles coming to rest in abutment with the spider arms, as hereinafter described.

Engaging the upper edge of the annular portion 60 of the spider is a flange 63 extending radially from a sleeve 64 rotatably mounted outwardly of the upper end of the main driving sleeve 8. The flange 63 is adjustably connected to the spider by means of one or more adjusting screws 65 (see Figs. 2 and 5) having a freely rotatable bearing without longitudinal movement in :1 lug 66 provided on the spider, and extending in screw-threaded engagement with another lug 67 provided on the flange, manipulation of the screw 65 effecting a rotary adjustment of the spider in relation to the flange.

It will be obvious that when the supply tank is lowered-to bring the filling and capping mechanisms into lower position for operation on the small slzed bottles,.1t 1s also necessary tomove the arms 61 and-62 of the positioning spider toward the piston heads 24 to properly center on the latter the small bottles of less diameter. Automatic means for accomplishing this result is provided in a collar 68 secured to the-tank support and extending downwardly'over the sleeve 64 carrying the flange 63. .The collar 68 carries a pair of rigidly secured spirally formed keys 69, (see Figs. 10, 11 and 12),

engaging aspirally formed keyway 70 inthe sleeve 64:. v

.the vertical movement of the key 69 effects As the tank is lowered,

the rotative shifting of the position of the sleeve 64 as the key descends through the spiral keyway 70, thereby moving the spider and its guiding arms through successive positions as illustrated at 61, 61 and 61 in Fig. 11, and positioning respectively the several sizes of bottles-on a common center, as represented by the concentric broken-line circles. Having adjusted the spider-in relation to the flange 63 by means of the adjusting screw for one standard size of bottle, the raising and lowering of the tank automatically accomplishes the proper positioning of the spider arms for the other i standard sizes of bottles.

For the purpose of supplying oil to the enclosed bearings and keyways above described, the oil holes 71 and 72 maybe provided. I

Milk is supplied to the reservoir tank through a supply line 73, and the desired level of milk inthe tank-is maintained by means of a flow-control valve havingprovision for its elevation and lowering in relation to the supply pipe consequent upon the raising and lowering of the supply tank.

As illustrated herein (seeFig. 10) a tube 74 extends downward from the supply line inside the reservoir. An outer tube 75,,pos1- tioncd in telescoping relation tothe tubc l' l,

carries at its upper end a screw-threaded ring cap 76 engaging the inner tube and preferably provided with packing permitting the relative longitudinal movement of the outer tube in relation to the stationary inner tube 74. a

The lower end of the outer tube 75 is I provided with a plug 77 secured therein and closing the tube. A headed stud 78, axially secured in the plug 77, extends downward and carries a nut 79 rotatable on the head of the stud. A screw stud 80 rigidlengages the lower end of the-nut 79, an also the bottom wall of the supply tank, .thus securing the outer tube 75 in fixed longitudinal relation to the tank 55 while permitting relative rotation between the tank and the tube. v 1 Y Immediately above the plug. 77, lateral holes or. valve openings 81 are provided in theouter tube 75, through which the milk' from the supply line 7 3 is-discharged into the supply tank. The valve openings 81 are controlled by a longitudinally slidablesleeve 82 mounted on the outer tube and carrying an annular float'member 83 which effects the lifting 'of-the sleeve 82 and the closure of the valve openings as thesupply of milk rises in the supply tank. A screen '84 is preferably mounted about the valve mechanism for screening the milk as it passes into the tank. A removable cover 85 preferably is provided over the supply tank, the cover having a central opening for the supply line and valvezstru'cture.

The base '1 is extended at one side to respectively on a pair of-laterally spaced shafts and 91, positioned'above and paral- 101 to the surface of the table 87. The shafts 90 and 91 have their outer bearings in a transmission case 92 mounted on the end of the table and extending downwardly into the housing 86. The transmission gears for drivlng-the worms are positioned in the casing and comprise a pair of interengaging spur gears 93 and 94:, (see ,Fig. 18) mounted respectively on the ends of. the shafts 90 and 91. The shaft 91 also carries a gear 95- engaging the gear 96 mounted on a jack shaft 97 carrying also the gear 98, the latter having drivenengagement with a gear 99 mounted on the'drive shaft 100 extending forwardly in the transmission housmg and having driving-connections hereinafter. described."

The inner endsof theworm shafts" are operatively supported by'a block lOlsecured uponthc inner end of the table 87, and hav-' ing an extension 102 protruding 'over the rotary table 38 between the paths of the upper arms 61 and lower arms 62 of the revolving bottle positioning spider, the'extension 102 being providedwith lateral wings 103 and 104 (see Fig. 2) in which the worm shafts have their respective bearings. The wings 103 and 104 are formed with angular lateral edges serving as guides in the movement of the bottles to and from the elevating piston heads, as hereinafter more fully described. A protective cover 105 preferably is -positioned over the adjacent inner port-ious of the revolving wormsand is secured to the gear casing 92 and the block 101, the outer sides of the worms being exposed to receive bottles between the convolutions of their spiral blades and slide the bottles over the surface of the table 87 to and from the rotary series of elevating piston heads.

The bottles are moved into engagement with the blades 88 of the worm which moves the bottles toward the filling mechanism, preferably by means of a conveyor belt 106,

the upper'run of which 'is operated acrossand upon the upper surface of the table 87 beneath the two conveyor worms. The bottles may be dumped from cases upon a lateral extension (not shown) of the table 87 and manually pushed upon the belt 106, or they may be brought by other conveying means (not shown) and mechanically transferred to the belt 106.

The belt is operated and supported by means herein illustrated as com rising a pair of end rollers 107 and 108 see Fig. 17) pivot-ally supported on brackets 109 and 110 secured to opposite sides of the table 87, and so positioned that the upper run of the thin belt lies fiat on the table. The under run of the belt 106 is carried through openings in the upper portion of walls of the housing 86 and passes around a driving roller 111 mounted on an extension of the worm driving shaft 100, the latter having suitable hearings in brackets 112 depending from the upper wall of the housing. The belt 106 ,may be tcnsioned upon the driving roller 111 by means of a pair of idler rollers 113 pivoted in bearings 114 slidably mounted on the fixed side rods 115, the latter carrying compression springs 116 tending to force the bearings 114 inwardly and causing the idlers 113 to bear resiliently upon the'belt 106.

As the bottles are carried on the belt 106 toward the worm blades 88, they are preferably shifted into single file arrangement before engaging the worm. A lateral guide bar 117 (see Fig. 2), rigidly secured to the table 87, extends at its inner end angularly over and toward the center of the conveyor belt. Opposite to the bar 117 is a swinging guide 118 extending angularly over the belt 106 and having a reciprocatory motion toward the opposite portion of the bar 117, which effects the shifting of the moving bottles without jamming so that they pass singly between the two guides toward the conveyor worm. The guide 118 is supported at its pivoted end upon an upright stud 119 the other end of the member 122 being connected to an eccentric 123operating on the worm shaft 90.

As the bottles engage the spiral blades 88, they are held in such engagement by the under passing conve or belt 106 and are moved laterally by tie blades 88 off from the belt to the surface of the table 87, where they are then retained in their engagement with the worm by an adjustable lateral guide 124 extending to the rotary table 38. The bottles are moved by the worm across the tables 87 and 38 to the elevating piston heads 24, the angular wing 103 aiding in directing the bottles into position for engagement by the arms 61 and 62 of the revolving spider. The bottles are shifted inwardly on the piston heads 24 into final position for elevation into engagement with the filling valves 57 by another adjustable lateral guide 125 supported on the table 87 and extending between the spider arms 61 and 62.

The guides 124 and 125 are supported respectively on two sliding blocks 126 and 127 which may be shifted by a single control to position the guides to accommodate either of the several standard sizes of bottles, the guide 124 being adjustable to retain either size of bottle between the worm blades 88, and the guide 125 being adjustable in cooperation with the arms 61 and 62 of the previously described adjustable spider to center either size of bottle beneath the filler valves. The block 126 is provided with Ways engaging the parallel slide rails 128 fixed on the table 87 in angular relation to the axis of the worm conveyor. A bell crank 129, carried by a pivot stud 130 journaled in the table 87 has a pivoted link connection 131 between one of its arms and the block 126. A handle 132, rigidly secured to the bell crank, provides manualmeans for operating the block 126 on its slide rails. The block 127 also is formed with a slide way engaging a rail 133 secured to the table 87 and disposed angularly to the rails 128. The other arm of the bell crank 129 has a pivoted link connection 134 with the block 127 for movement of the latter on its slide rail. The lengths of the arms of the bell crank are so proportioned that the shifting of the guide 124 to proper position for one size of bottle automatically adjusts the guide 125 for that position by mounted'in the block 127 and positionable representation shows the largest size bottles,

tween inselective holes in the rail 133 to secure the block against movement. ,A connecting guide link 136 may be pivoted 'on the block 126 at the inner end of the guide 124, the

link having a longitudinal slot engaging a pin fixedon the adjacent end of the block '127'and automatically adjustable with the intermovement of the twosliding blocks.

The adjustable positions of the guides 124 and 125 are clearly illustrated in Fig. 5,

wherein the full line representation ofthe centrally open-construction. A sliding plate 149 is positioned above the wall of the block 101, overlying the slot 148 and having a guide portion extending into the slot 'd h tl osition to handle the sli htly Spaced from the upper end of the 1 es 5 OW mu. p brgcket147. The bracket is supported on smallest size of bottles, and the dotted line them in position for the'two sizes of hottles being indicated in passage by the broken line circles. 7

A- further provision against amming of the bottles is operative as the latter first engage the worm blades 88 There being hability that a-bottle occasionally may be engaged at diametrically opposite'points bethe end of the guide 124 and thus damage the machine or bottle, a section 137 of t he end of the guide and its support 1s swlngable on a pivot pin 138 carried by the block 126. The swinging section 137 is res liently maintained in normal alinement with the other section of the guide 124 by a compression spring 139 confined between a lug" on the section 137 and a slmllar opposed lug on the block 126, the adjacent end portion ofthe guide 117 serving as a normal positioning stop for the swinging section.

-'When. the bottles are filled and they reach the point where they are lowered finally out of engagement with the filler valves, they are then carried into lateral engagement with a transfer guide 140 disposed in angular relation to the circular'path of the bottles and shifting the bottles radially outward on the piston heads 24 as the bottles are moved against the guide by the splder arms 61 and 62. The bottles are thus positioned in register with the outer series of capping heads 59.

The transfer guide 140 is adjustable in position for the several sizes of bottles. A

laterally extending supporting arm 141 carries the guide, and is centrally pivoted at 142 (see Fig. 5) upon a .lateral projection 143 (see Fig. 7) formed at the inner extremity of the extension 102 of the block 101. The position of the transfer guide is controlled by an adjustable slide bar .144 having a bearing in the raised portion of the extension 102 and terminating in a head 145 positioned over the extremity of the extension 102. The head 145 is providedwith a transverse slot in which is operatively positioned a pin 146 fixed in the end of-the the outer edge of the blades 88 and,

the plate 149 by means of a pair of headed screws 150 (see Fig. 9), the latter being vertically movable in tie plate 149 while tion of a thumb screw 151, passing freely through the plateand threaded into the bracket, the plate'and bracket flanges'may be clamped rigidlyto the Wall of the block, thus securing the bar 144 against movement. The selective positions of the plate 149 preferably are determined by a pair of lift pins 152 (see Fig. 8) mounted in the plate and adapted to be dropped into selectively registering holes inthe underlying Wall of the block 101, each of the holes being'located to properly position the guide 140 for one size of bottles.

As the bottles arebeingshifted outwardly over thepiston beads by the transfer guide 140, theyare prevented from over running their proper position by a counter guide 153 (see Fig. 2) which is pivotally mounted at one end on a vertical pin 154 carried by a bracket 155 secured to the table 87. The guide 153 is laterally swingable between the spider arms 61 and 62, and is resiliently actuated to the limit of its adjustable position by means of a compression spring 156 confined between a depending lug on the bracket 155 and a suitable abutmentionthe guide ation with the guide 140 for properly positioning any size of bottle.

After the bottles have been raised into engagement with the capping heads 59, capped, and again lowered, they are carried into engagement with the stationary angular lli) lift) guide 104 which shifts them off from the piston heads and the rotar table 38 into engagement with the spiral lades 89 of the second worm conveyor, the'latter operating to slide the filled and capped bottles outwardly over the surface of the table 87.

To retain the discharged bottles in operative engagement with the blades 89, another adjustable retaining guide 159 is provided. The latter is arranged in parallel relation to the worm and has a deflected end extending over the table 38 to assist in directing the approachingbottles. The guide is supported on a sliding block 160, having slide ways formed therein in engagement with the angularly disposed slide rails 161 secured to the table 87. The guide 159 and its supporting block may be moved into the proper relation to the guide 104 and the spiral blades 89 for any size of bottles, by means of a link 162 pivotally connected at one end to the block 160 and at the other end to a crank 163 rigidly mounted on a vertical pivot stud 164 j ournaled in the table 87 The lower end of the pivot stud 164 carries a crank 165 (see Fig. 1) positioned beneath the table and connected by the rod 166 to a crank 167 mounted on the extended lower end of the pivot stud 130 carrying the manual control handle 132. The machine operator is thus enabled to adjust COlIlCldentally the three guides 124, 125 and 159 at one operation to either size of bottles the pins 135 securing the adjustment when made.

Upon passing beyond the retammg guide 159, the filled bottles accumulate on the outer end of the table 87 conveniently for the operators inspection and their replacement 1n cases. Guard rails 168 and 169 prevent the bottles from being carried oif the table by the belt 106, or it may be desirable to remove the guard 169 and convey the bottles away from the table for mspection and easing.

As illustrated herein the machine 1s operated primarily by a motor 170 mounted within the transmission housing 86 and having a driving pulley 171 belted to a drlven pulley 172 (see Figs. 17 and 19) mountedon a clutch shaft 173 carried in a transmission case 174 positioned within the housing, The clutch shaft 173 carries a clutch 17 5 of any suitable construction, that hereinillustrated comprising a longitudlnally shdable collar 176 non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 173, and manually shiftable by a hand lever and connections (not shown) positioned outside of the housing conveniently to the machine operator. The collar 176' 15 provided with means for engaging either of the sleeves 177 or 178, loosely mounted on the clutch shaft and carrying respectively the pinions 179 and 180, the latter being in respective engagement with the variable speed gears 181 and 182 rigidly mounted on the jack-shaft 183 having its hearings in the transmission case 174.

The jack-shaft 183 carries a pinion 184 rigidly mounted thereon and engaging the spur gear 185 mounted on a sleeve 186 rotatably positioned on a rear section 187 of the main drive shaft, the sleeve 186 carrylng also a pinion 188 in rigid relation thereto and meshing with a gear 189 mounted on the bearing sleeve 190 loosely mounted on thejack-shaft 183, the sleeve 190 also carrying in rigid relation thereto a pinion 191 engaging the gear 192 rigidly mounted on the main drive shaft 187. The train of gears just described accomplishes the required reduction of speed from the motor to the main drive for the rotary filling and capping mechanism, the main shaft 187 extending through the housing and being directly connected with its front section 17 by a coupling 193.

A rearward extension of the main drive shaft 187 carries a bevelled gear 194 meshing with another bevelled gear 195, (see Fig. 1) mounted on the upright shaft 196 having its bearings in a suitable extension of the transmission case 174 at its upper end a bevelled gear 197, operatively meshing with the bevelled gear 198, mounted on the shaft 100 driving the worm and belt conveyors.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus-of the class described comprising a. revoluble reservoir, a series of depending discharge valves carried by said reservoir, a series of capping devices supported on said reservoir, means rotatable withsaid reservoir having elevating devices adapted to support bottles in selective positions for engagement with said valves and said capping devices, means rotatable with said reservoir for laterally guiding said bottles in radial movement on said elevating de vices from one to the other of said selective positions, stationarily supported means for laterally engaging said bottles and moving them radially into register with said valves, and other stationarily supported means for laterally engaging and radially shifting said bottles on said elevating devices into register with said capping devices.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a revoluble tank having concentric series of discharge valves and capping heads mounted thereon, a vertically movable support for said tank adjustably positionable to vary the elevation of said tank, means rotatable with said tank having elevating devices adapted to elevate bottles into engagement with said valves and said capping heads, and lateral bottle positioning means carried by said rotatable means and having a portion in which is formed a spiral way for operative engagement by said tank support whereby the vertical ad ustment of and carrying said support and tank to variablevheights of bottles automatically adjusts said lateral positioning means to the variable diameters of said bottles. i

' 3. Apparatus'of the class described comprising a revoluble tank having concentric series of discharge valves and capping heads mounted thereon, a revoluble support for said tank, a revoluble sleeve carrying said support, said support being -vertically movable thereon, means mounted on said,

the adjustment of the elevation of said tank and its attached valves and cappingheads to various heights of bottles rotatably adus'ts said lateral positioning arms to the varying diameters'of' said bottles.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a stationarypedestal, an upright sleeve rotatably mounted on said .pedestal and extend- 'ing substantially vabove its upper portion, a

tank support slidably mounted in'the upper portion of said sleeve in non-rotative relation thereto, means for raising and lowering said tank support, an annular elevator car- I and adapted to rotate said outerrier mounted on said sleeve in non-rotative relation thereto, bottle elevating devices mounted onsaid carrier,-an annular spider rotatively supported on said elevator carrier having substantially radial arms extending adjacent said elevating devices,-a flanged outer sleeve rotatably mounted onsaid first .mentioned sleeve having adj'ustable attat'hnentto said spider, said outer sleeve having a spirally arranged key-way therein,- and a key supported in fixed relation tosaid tank supportoperatively engaged in saidkey-way sleeve and spider with the. raising or lowering of said tank support.

' 5. Inapparatus oi the class described, a revoluble tank having a plurality of depending discharge valves, a tank support revoluble therewith, a carrier rotatable on thesame axis and-in synchronism with said tank, said carrier having elevating devices adapted to elevate bottles into engagement with said valves, said tank and support being vert cally adjustable in relation to said carrier, 'a .-'bottle positioning spider having an annular ortion rotatively mounted on said carrier and having radial arms extending adjacent said elevating devices, a'sleeve attachedto said spider having-a lateral spiral groove, and a collar on said tank supportoverlyin'g said groove and having a fixed key operatively engaging said groove whereby the axial movement of said support in relation to said carrier efi'ect-s a rotary movement of said sleeve and bottle positioning spider.

6. In apparatus of the class described,.'a r

revolublevcarrier, a concentric series ofbottle elevating devices mounted on said carrier and adapted to support bottles placed there on, a spider mounted on said carrier' and having an anular concentric bearing there- 'upon for rotative adjustment relative to said carrier, radial arms rigid with said spider and extending laterally of said elevating devices, said arms being adjustable in relation to said elevating devices by the rotative ad justment' of said spider and being adapted for lateral engagement by bottles positioned on said devices, and an adjustablysecured stationary positioning guide extending in angular relation to the path of movement of said bottles, said guide, being adapted toslide the bottles radially along said arms into cen-' tered position on said elevating devices.

7. .In apparatus of :the class described, a

revoluble carrier, a series of elevating devices mounted on said carrier adapted to support bottles 'moved laterally into position 7 thereon, a stationary table laterally adjacent to the path of said elevatingdevices, a conveyor adapted to receive bottles and move thesam'e across said table and upon said elevating dev ces, a retaining guide laterally supporting ,said bottles in engagement with said conveyor, a block carrying said retainmg guide and slidably supported on said table for the adjustment ofs'aid ide to vaon said carrier arranged to rearwardly support 'bottleson said elevating devices, a late eral positioning guide extending partially "over and in angular relation to the path of movement of said elevating devices, a second block carrying said positioning guide and ice 'rious sizes of bottles, bottle positioning arms slidably supported on said table for adjustv ment of said guide to variable sizes of bottles, a' crank pivoted'on said table, and pivoted link connections between said crank and said blocks "respectively for the simultaneous adjustment of said guides to a selected size of bottles. r 4 j. 8. In apparatus of the class described, a revoluble tank, an inner series of discharge valves mounted on said tank, an outer series of capping devices mounted on said tank, a

revoluble carrier positioned beneath said tank and having a series of elevating devices adapted. to elevate bottles into successive engagementwith said. discharge valves and said capping devices, means for positioning bottles upon the inner portions of said elevating devices in register with said valves, a series ofradial arms mounted on said carrier rearwardly supporting said bottles, and a stationary transfer guide angularly disposed over the path of the inner portions of said elevating devices adapted to laterally ,9. 1n apparatus of the class described, a

revoluble carrier, a concentric series of'elevating devices on ,said carrier having inner and outer positions for the emplacement of bottles, a seriesof radial arms mounted on said carrier for rearwardly supporting bottles on said elevating devices, means for conveying bottles to the inner positions on said elevatingdevices, a stationary support, a transfer guide angularly disposed over the path of the inner positions on said elevating devices and adjusta'bly mounted on said support whereby said guide may be positioned to slidingly shift bottles of variable diameters from said inner to said outer positions on said elevating heads. i

10. In apparatus of the class described, a revoluble carrier, a concentric series of elevating devices on said carrier having inner and outer positions for the emplacementof bottles, a series of radial arms mounted on said carrier rearwardly supporting bottles on said elevating devices, a table laterally adjacent the path of said elevating devices, means for conveying bottles to the inner positions on said elevating devices, a stationary support, a transfer guide mounted on said support and angularly disposed over the path of the inner positlons of said elevating devices to shift bottles from the inner to the outer position thereon, and a wing portion on said stationary support angularly disposed over the path of the outer positions on said elevating devices adapted to slidingly shift bottles from said outer position of said elevating devices to said table.

11. In apparatus of the class described, a revoluble carrier, a concentric series of elevating devices on said carrier having inner and outer posltlons for theemplacement of b5ttles, means for rearwardly supporting bottles in position on said elevating devices, a table laterally adjacent the path of said elevating devices, means for conveying bottles to the inner positions on said elevating devices, a support statlonarily mounted on said table extending over the path of said elevating devices',a transfer guide pivotally mounted on said support and having a bottle contacting face angularly disposed over the path of the inner positions on said elevating devices, and adapted to transfer the bottles from inner to outer positions thereon, a bar slidably mounted on said support having a pivotal connection with said transfer guide to laterally swing said guide, and means for securing said bar in selective positions.

12. In apparatus of the class described, a revoluble tank, an inner series of depending discharge valves carried by said tank, an outer series of capping devices mounted on said tank, a series of elevating devices rotatable with said tank, each of said elevating devices having a head extending beneath one of said valves and one of said capping devices and adapted for the sliding movement thereon of a bottle into position of register with said valve or said capping device selectively, a series of radial arms rotatable with said elevating devices and extending adjacent said heads, said arms providing lateral guidance for the movement of the bottles on said heads, a stationary guide adapted to engage said bottles and position them inwardly under said valvesfand a second stationary guide adapted to shift said bottles outwardly under said capping devices.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

OLAF LARSEN. 

